metamorphic
Quartzite Pebble
Quartzite (SiO2)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to light cream; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Grainy texture; Very durable and resistant to weathering.
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- white to light cream
- Luster
- vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: white to light cream; Luster: vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: hexagonal (trigonal); Grainy texture; Very durable and resistant to weathering.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone under intense heat and pressure, typically in orogenic (mountain-building) belts. This specific specimen has been further shaped by fluvial or glacial erosion into a smooth pebble.
Uses & applications
Used in construction as crushed stone, in the production of glass, as a decorative stone in landscaping, and sometimes as a flux in metallurgy.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the mountain ranges it was part of. It is often confused with marble, but unlike marble, it will not react with acid and is much harder than steel.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its ability to scratch glass and its grainy, sandpaper-like appearance under a lens. Common in riverbeds and glacial deposits throughout North America and Europe.
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